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September 15, 2001

Robert Speisman, Executive, Dies at 48

Robert Speisman, executive vice president at Lazare Kaplan International in New York, a worldwide diamond manufacturer, was among the passengers killed when the hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon on Tuesday, his family said. He was 48.

Mr. Speisman was traveling from Washington to Los Angeles on business.

Mr. Speisman had worked at Lazare Kaplan for 17 years and was also a member of its board. He was married to a daughter of Lazare Kaplan's chairman, Maurice Tempelsman. Mr. Speisman was also chairman of the board of trustees of the American Gem Society.

He graduated from the State University of New York at New Paltz.

Mr. Speisman, who lived in Irvington, N.Y., is survived by his wife, Rena; his parents, Jack and Joyce; and three daughters, Tara, Brittany and Hayley.

Editorial Obituary published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on September 15, 2001.